Temperature regulating apparatus for a prosthetic limb

Abstract

A temperature regulating socket apparatus for selectively heating or cooling a residual limb of an amputee is provided. The temperature regulating socket apparatus includes a socket having a brim, a distal end and a continuous side wall, all defining an open interior area for receiving the residual limb therein and a temperature regulating apparatus. The temperature regulating apparatus includes a thermal adjustment element embedded within the socket side wall; a temperature control unit operatively coupled to the thermal adjustment element; and a power supply operatively coupled to the temperature control unit. When the power supply is in its ON orientation the temperature control unit is powered so that the temperature control unit regulates the temperature of the thermal adjustment element to selectively heat or cool the residual limb within the socket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temperature regulating socket apparatus for selectively heating or cooling a residual limb of an amputee, the temperature regulating socket apparatus comprising:
 a socket having a brim, a distal end and a continuous side wall, all defining an open interior area configured to receive the residual limb therein; and   a temperature regulating apparatus comprising:
 a) a thermal adjustment element embedded within the socket side wall; 
 b) a temperature control unit operatively coupled to the thermal adjustment element; and 
 c) a power supply operatively coupled to the temperature control unit, wherein when the power supply is in its ON orientation the temperature control unit is powered whereby the temperature control unit regulates the temperature of the thermal adjustment element to selectively heat or cool the residual limb within the socket. 
   
     
     
         2 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the thermal adjustment element comprises a flexible heating element having a base member configured to be positioned at the distal end of the socket and a plurality of individually spaced apart heating units extending outwardly from the base member, wherein each of the heating elements is configured to extend along a length of the side wall toward the brim. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the temperature control unit selectively adjustably supplies an electric current from the power supply to each of the heating elements. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the base member is dimensioned to encircle a mounting element located at the distal end of the socket, wherein the mounting element is configured to couple a prosthetic device to the socket. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the power supply is a battery, and wherein the battery and the temperature control unit are contained within a common housing. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the socket includes a bracket configured to removably secure the housing to the socket. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the socket is manufactured using casting or lamination. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the lamination uses carbon fiber or fiberglass. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the thermal adjustment element includes a wireless receiving coil, wherein the temperature control unit includes a wireless charging transceiver, and wherein when said wireless charging transceiver is in an ON orientation a current is induced within the wireless receiving coil to supply each of the heating elements. 
     
     
         10 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the wireless receiving coil is hermetically sealed within the socket side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery, and wherein the rechargeable battery and the temperature control unit are contained within a common battery pack housing. 
     
     
         12 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the battery pack housing is hermetically sealed. 
     
     
         13 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the battery pack housing includes a control board and an indicator, wherein the indicator is configured to display one or more of a remaining battery life, a recharging status and a wireless transmission status. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the socket includes a bracket configured to removably secure the battery pack housing to the socket. 
     
     
         15 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the socket includes a pack sleeve configured to removably secure the battery pack housing to the socket. 
     
     
         16 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the pack sleeve and the battery pack housing include respective magnets of a magnet pair to removably secure the battery pack housing in the pack sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the thermal adjustment element comprises a socket tube having opposing first and second ends. 
     
     
         18 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the socket tube defines a serpentine path about the socket side wall. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the thermal adjustment element further comprises a thermal plate element positioned between the socket tube and the socket side wall facing the open interior area defined by the socket. 
     
     
         20 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the temperature control unit comprises a pump and a thermal exchanger fluidly coupled to the first and second ends of the socket tube, wherein a heat exchange fluid is circulated through the socket tube and the thermal exchanger via the pump. 
     
     
         21 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the heat exchange fluid is water. 
     
     
         22 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the thermal exchanger includes an exchange tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the inlet end is coupled to the first end of the socket tube via a first coupling and the outlet end is coupled to the second end of the socket tube via a second coupling whereby the socket tube and the exchange tube form a closed loop circuit. 
     
     
         23 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the first and second couplings are leak-proof quick-connect couplings. 
     
     
         24 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the temperature control unit is configured to reside in a carrier located a spaced distance from the socket. 
     
     
         25 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the carrier is a wheeled carrier or a backpack. 
     
     
         26 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the thermal exchanger comprises a water bath wherein a portion of the exchange tube is submerged within the water bath. 
     
     
         27 . The temperature regulating socket apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the water bath selectively holds either hot water to heat the heat exchange fluid in the exchange tube so as to warm the residual limb within the socket or cold water to cool the heat exchange fluid in the exchange tube so as to cool the residual limb within the socket.